1. Reform context: Administrative merger and the need to streamline the apparatus

The policy of merging administrative units at the commune and district levels has been implemented by the Government since 2019 in the spirit of Resolutions No. 18-NQ/TW and 37-NQ/TW, aiming to streamline the apparatus, reduce the number of focal points, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management. Many mountainous and midland localities - where there are large areas of natural forests such as Nghe An, Quang Nam, Lam Dong, Dak Lak - have merged many communes with large areas, sparse population, and complex terrain.

However, the merger has created new challenges in forest management, an inherently complex field that requires high expertise and close coordination between many levels and sectors.

2. Organizational issues: The forest ranger apparatus did not adapt quickly

After the merger, the administrative boundaries changed, leading to adjustments in the areas of responsibility of the forest ranger force. However:

The number of forest ranger staff did not increase correspondingly with the increased workload. There were cases where a forest ranger had to be in charge of an area spanning hundreds of square kilometers, making it impossible to check the forest regularly as before.

The forest management map and forest boundary markers overlapped and were not updated promptly according to the new boundaries, leading to disputes or "blank areas" in management.

The lack of synchronization between the vertical (forest ranger) and horizontal (local government after the merger) systems made many places unclear about their authority, especially in handling administrative violations related to forests.

Impact: The control of deforestation and illegal exploitation of forest products was less effective; many violations of forestry laws occurred more openly.

3. Legal and data challenges: Ununified system

A forest may involve many records: cadastral maps, forestry maps, land use right certificates, forest allocation decisions, etc. When communes/districts are merged:

Forest records become fragmented and not digitized synchronously.

The old administrative unit name is still present in many documents, creating legal barriers for land allocation - forest allocation, handling of violations and dispute resolution.

Forest management data on the FRMS (Forest Resource Monitoring System) has not been updated in time with the new administrative boundaries, causing difficulties in statistics, planning for forest protection and development.

4. Human resources and training: Burden for local forest rangers

The reduction of administrative focal points means that a local forest ranger now has to coordinate with a larger commune People's Committee, more villages and a more diverse population. Meanwhile:

There is no policy of compensation and increased allowances commensurate with the workload.

New local officials may lack knowledge about forests and have never participated in forestry management, causing difficulties in practical coordination.

Propaganda and mobilization work among the people is interrupted, especially in ethnic minority areas.

5. Environmental risks and ecological security

Forest areas are often located on the borders between administrative units. When merging, boundary markers are changed or unclear, leading to:

Difficulties in preventing encroachment on forest land for agricultural and construction purposes.

Increased forest land disputes between people and forest management organizations.

Loss of protective forests, affecting ecological security, especially in the Northwestern, Central Highlands and Central coastal provinces - where forests play a role in preventing floods, preventing erosion and protecting water resources.

6. Proposed solutions

To effectively manage forests in the context of administrative mergers, it is necessary to implement many solutions synchronously:

- Update and synchronize the data system: Digitize all forest records associated with new administrative boundaries; Synchronize the FRMS system, land database, administrative maps with forestry data.

- Strengthen the capacity of forest rangers: Consider adding local forest rangers in key forest areas; Organize training on forest management in the new administrative context for both forest rangers and newly merged commune/district officials.

- Review the legal system: Update all administrative documents, forest allocation decisions, land use right certificates, etc. in accordance with the new place names and structure; Issuing specific coordination regulations between local departments and forest rangers.

- Technology application: Using satellite forest monitoring systems (VN-Forest, FORMA, GEE), drones, AI... to support remote monitoring; Developing real-time digital maps for forests and buffer zones, connecting with provincial forestry agencies.

7. Conclusion: A "soft transition" phase is needed for forestry

Administrative reform is a strategic step for long-term management effectiveness. However, in the forestry sector - which requires stability, accuracy, and close management - a soft transition phase with a clear plan is needed to avoid causing profound consequences such as deforestation, environmental degradation, and social instability.

The assessment of the impact of mergers on each sector and each locality should be carried out periodically to promptly make appropriate adjustments. In particular, the forestry sector, with its specific nature, needs a separate mechanism to ensure that forest management is not negatively affected during the administrative reform process.